Reactable Live @ Dubspot! Interactive Sound Design Workshop Recap (by DubSpot)

More info - http://bit.ly/sAjMDV
In September, Dubspot had the wonderful pleasure of hosting a live streaming workshop with Create Digital Music’s Peter Kirn and Martin Kaltenbrunner of Reactor. Developed in Spain by Austrian and Spanish music and media technologists, Reactable is a musical instrument that is changing the way modern electronic music is produced and performed. In this video recap of the live webcast, Peter Kirn asked the necessary question “what makes this an instrument?” and Martin Kaltenbrunner answered that question with a demonstration using Reactable’s tangible and intuitive interface to create and manipulate sounds on the fly. Furthermore, Peter and Martin talked about interface design, music technology, production and performance of electronic music without a computer, and much more.

Source: youtube.com

 How The 1% and the Machines May Come To Rule Us All That’s my own sensational title, but it’s very fitting. This article, from the Atlantic and part of a 3 segment excerpt from a new book, is basically the article (and book?) I’ve been waiting 4 years to read! And also very timely with OWS, which is an awesome bonus. As RCS followers know, I’m a major tech lover. That said, tech innovation also scares the pants off of me. There are for a few reasons, with the terminator-apocalypse low on the list. More realistically, a major concern of mine has been how technology will put people out of work. Because while technology can empower the average citizen (e.g. 3DP), it can also decimate fields of work, even destroying businesses. (Just think of how badly the US Postal Service is doing due to email, or how self-driving cars will effect taxi-drivers and truckers.) This is a serious problem. A very serious problem, and one which I’ve been thinking about for some time. What will we do when robots can replace us? And don’t think it’s just simple, menial labor. It might almost be the opposite. There’s a lot of research into machines and programs for augmenting (read: decimating) and replacing (you read that right) even highly skilled positions like doctors (e.g. here, here, and here) and, say, stock-traders. Cause sure, there may still be a few positions left for humans even after machines mostly take control (e.g. one security guard monitoring 10 security cameras), but even cutting half of the positions for a field will produce an avalanche of problems. For instance, already now with unemployment at 9% [!], we’re seeing many students dropping out of college b/c the cost of tuition is extremely high and there’s no job security; thus, less incentive to go especially with the risk of heavy debt weighing down on a graduate’s shoulders. And it’s a bit odd: On the one hand, robotic labor seems to open up the possibility of a more Utopian world where people needn’t work much (or at all?) to live; however, unless some big changes happen to the planet, the more likely scenario is that a few extremely wealthy people will simply own the robots that can do everything. And what will we do when there’s little-to-no work for us to do? I don’t know. Like I said, it scares the pants off me. This article doesn’t suggest a solution (though it does emphasize the greater need for higher education, and perhaps we should work to include that in the public schooling system). And I’d really like to hear one. Seriously, if you have any ideas, let me know! (Hat tip to emergentfutures for the link.) RCS Highlights: At least since the followers of Ned Ludd smashed mechanized looms in 1811, workers have worried about automation destroying jobs. Economists have reassured them that new jobs would be created even as old ones were eliminated…. However.. There is no economic law that says that everyone, or even most people, automatically benefit from technological progress... [T]echnological progress is not a rising tide that automatically raises all incomes. Even as overall wealth increases, there can be, and usually will be, winners and losers. And the losers are not necessarily some small segment of the labor force like buggy whip manufacturers. In principle, they can be a majority or even 90% or more of the population…If wages can freely adjust… [then] at some point, the equilibrium wages for workers might fall below the level needed for subsistence. A rational human would see no point in taking a job at a wage that low, so the worker would go unemployed and the work would be done by a machine instead…As technology continues to advance in the second half of the chessboard [nice Kurzweil reference - Ari], taking on jobs and tasks that used to belong only to human workers, one can imagine a time in the future when more and more jobs are more cheaply done by machines than humans. And indeed, the wages of unskilled workers have trended downward for over 30 years, at least in the United States. …lower pay only postpones the day of reckoning. Moore’s Law is not a one-time blip but an accelerating exponential trend…We’ll start with skill-biased technical change… A lot of factory automation falls into this category, as routine drudgery is turned over to machines… It’s clear … that wage divergence accelerated in the digital era. As documented in careful studies..  the increase in the relative demand for skilled labor is closely correlated with advances in technology, particularly digital technologies. Hence, the moniker “skill-biased technical change,” or SBTC….Ever-greater investments in education, dramatically increasing the average educational level of the American workforce, helped prevent inequality from soaring as technology automated more and more unskilled work…A key aspect of SBTC was not just the skills of those working with computers, but more importantly the broader changes in work organization that were made possible by information technology. The most productive firms reinvented and reorganized.. to get the most from the technology…The second division is between superstars and everyone else. Many industries are winner-take-all or winner-take-most competitions, in which a few individuals get the lion’s share of the rewards… The superstars in each field can now earn much larger rewards than they did in earlier decades.The effects are evident at the top of the income distribution. The top 10% of the wage distribution has done much better than the rest of the labor force, but even within this group there has been growing inequality. Income has grown faster for the top 1% than the rest of the top decile. In turn, the top 0.1% and top 0.01% have seen their income grow even faster. This is not run-of-the-mill skill-biased technical change but rather reflects the unique rewards of superstardom... If technology exists for a single seller to cheaply replicate his or her services, then the top-quality provider can capture most—or all—of the market. The next-best provider might be almost as good yet get only a tiny fraction of the revenue.Technology can convert an ordinary market into one that is characterized by superstars. Before the era of recorded music, the very best singer might have filled a large concert hall but at most would only be able to reach thousands of listeners over the course of a year… Once music could be recorded and distributed at a very low marginal cost, however, a small number of top performers could capture the majority of revenues in every market, from classical music’s Yo-Yo Ma to pop’s Lady Gaga…According to economist Emmanuel Saez, the top 1% of U.S. households got 65% of all the growth in the economy since 2002. In fact, Saez reports that the top 0.01% of households in the United States—that is, the 14,588 families with income above $11,477,000—saw their share of national income double from 3% to 6% between 1995 and 2007…The third division is between capital and labor. Most types of production require both machinery and human labor… If the technology decreases the relative importance of human labor in a particular production process, the owners of capital equipment will be able to capture a bigger share of income from the goods and services produced... According to the recently updated data from the U.S. Commerce Department, recent corporate profits accounted for 23.8% of total domestic corporate income, a record high share that is more than 1 full percentage point above the previous record. Similarly, corporate profits as a share of GDP are at 50-year highs. Meanwhile, compensation to labor in all forms, including wages and benefits, is at a 50-year low. Capital is getting a bigger share of the pie, relative to labor.
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 How The 1% and the Machines May Come To Rule Us All

That’s my own sensational title, but it’s very fitting. This article, from the Atlantic and part of a 3 segment excerpt from a new book, is basically the article (and book?) I’ve been waiting 4 years to read! And also very timely with OWS, which is an awesome bonus.

As RCS followers know, I’m a major tech lover. That said, tech innovation also scares the pants off of me. There are for a few reasons, with the terminator-apocalypse low on the list. More realistically, a major concern of mine has been how technology will put people out of work. Because while technology can empower the average citizen (e.g. 3DP), it can also decimate fields of work, even destroying businesses. (Just think of how badly the US Postal Service is doing due to email, or how self-driving cars will effect taxi-drivers and truckers.)

This is a serious problem. A very serious problem, and one which I’ve been thinking about for some time. What will we do when robots can replace us? And don’t think it’s just simple, menial labor. It might almost be the opposite. There’s a lot of research into machines and programs for augmenting (read: decimating) and replacing (you read that right) even highly skilled positions like doctors (e.g. here, here, and here) and, say, stock-traders. Cause sure, there may still be a few positions left for humans even after machines mostly take control (e.g. one security guard monitoring 10 security cameras), but even cutting half of the positions for a field will produce an avalanche of problems. For instance, already now with unemployment at 9% [!], we’re seeing many students dropping out of college b/c the cost of tuition is extremely high and there’s no job security; thus, less incentive to go especially with the risk of heavy debt weighing down on a graduate’s shoulders.

And it’s a bit odd: On the one hand, robotic labor seems to open up the possibility of a more Utopian world where people needn’t work much (or at all?) to live; however, unless some big changes happen to the planet, the more likely scenario is that a few extremely wealthy people will simply own the robots that can do everything. And what will we do when there’s little-to-no work for us to do?

I don’t know. Like I said, it scares the pants off me. This article doesn’t suggest a solution (though it does emphasize the greater need for higher education, and perhaps we should work to include that in the public schooling system). And I’d really like to hear one.

Seriously, if you have any ideas, let me know!

(Hat tip to emergentfutures for the link.)

  • RCS Highlights:

At least since the followers of Ned Ludd smashed mechanized looms in 1811, workers have worried about automation destroying jobs. Economists have reassured them that new jobs would be created even as old ones were eliminated…. However.. There is no economic law that says that everyone, or even most people, automatically benefit from technological progress... [T]echnological progress is not a rising tide that automatically raises all incomes. Even as overall wealth increases, there can be, and usually will be, winners and losers. And the losers are not necessarily some small segment of the labor force like buggy whip manufacturers. In principle, they can be a majority or even 90% or more of the population…

If wages can freely adjust… [then] at some point, the equilibrium wages for workers might fall below the level needed for subsistence. A rational human would see no point in taking a job at a wage that low, so the worker would go unemployed and the work would be done by a machine instead…

As technology continues to advance in the second half of the chessboard [nice Kurzweil reference - Ari], taking on jobs and tasks that used to belong only to human workers, one can imagine a time in the future when more and more jobs are more cheaply done by machines than humans. And indeed, the wages of unskilled workers have trended downward for over 30 years, at least in the United States. …lower pay only postpones the day of reckoning. Moore’s Law is not a one-time blip but an accelerating exponential trend…

We’ll start with skill-biased technical change… A lot of factory automation falls into this category, as routine drudgery is turned over to machines…

It’s clear … that wage divergence accelerated in the digital era. As documented in careful studies..  the increase in the relative demand for skilled labor is closely correlated with advances in technology, particularly digital technologies. Hence, the moniker “skill-biased technical change,” or SBTC….

Ever-greater investments in education, dramatically increasing the average educational level of the American workforce, helped prevent inequality from soaring as technology automated more and more unskilled work…

A key aspect of SBTC was not just the skills of those working with computers, but more importantly the broader changes in work organization that were made possible by information technology. The most productive firms reinvented and reorganized.. to get the most from the technology…

The second division is between superstars and everyone else. Many industries are winner-take-all or winner-take-most competitions, in which a few individuals get the lion’s share of the rewards… The superstars in each field can now earn much larger rewards than they did in earlier decades.

The effects are evident at the top of the income distribution. The top 10% of the wage distribution has done much better than the rest of the labor force, but even within this group there has been growing inequality. Income has grown faster for the top 1% than the rest of the top decile. In turn, the top 0.1% and top 0.01% have seen their income grow even faster. This is not run-of-the-mill skill-biased technical change but rather reflects the unique rewards of superstardom... If technology exists for a single seller to cheaply replicate his or her services, then the top-quality provider can capture most—or all—of the market. The next-best provider might be almost as good yet get only a tiny fraction of the revenue.

Technology can convert an ordinary market into one that is characterized by superstars. Before the era of recorded music, the very best singer might have filled a large concert hall but at most would only be able to reach thousands of listeners over the course of a year… Once music could be recorded and distributed at a very low marginal cost, however, a small number of top performers could capture the majority of revenues in every market, from classical music’s Yo-Yo Ma to pop’s Lady Gaga…

According to economist Emmanuel Saez, the top 1% of U.S. households got 65% of all the growth in the economy since 2002. In fact, Saez reports that the top 0.01% of households in the United States—that is, the 14,588 families with income above $11,477,000—saw their share of national income double from 3% to 6% between 1995 and 2007…

The third division is between capital and labor. Most types of production require both machinery and human labor… If the technology decreases the relative importance of human labor in a particular production process, the owners of capital equipment will be able to capture a bigger share of income from the goods and services produced...
According to the recently updated data from the U.S. Commerce Department, recent corporate profits accounted for 23.8% of total domestic corporate income, a record high share that is more than 1 full percentage point above the previous record. Similarly, corporate profits as a share of GDP are at 50-year highs. Meanwhile, compensation to labor in all forms, including wages and benefits, is at a 50-year low. Capital is getting a bigger share of the pie, relative to labor.

Science Fiction No More: Humans and Robots to Explore Space Together

Head shot of NASA’s Robonaut. Kennedy Space Center can be seen reflected in the visor. Credit: NASA/JPL/Joe Bibby

When you hear about robots and space exploration, the first thing many people may think of is R2-D2 and C-3PO from Star Wars. While we may not be quite there yet, robots have become a major, even necessary, part of space missions. The many probes, landers and rovers that have been sent throughout the solar system are essentially robots, which have become more advanced over time. Then there’s the new Robonaut, a humanoid robot designed to assist astronauts with a variety of tasks in space including on the International Space Station, for example. But what is next? That was the subject of a panel discussion last Tuesday at the Von Braun Memorial Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama. The future being planned by the robotics experts involved is one of both humans and robots working together in space. The future is now…

“Can we have both robotics and human exploration of space?” was the question of the day. While there have long been advocates of both, there has also been a prevailing debate over which is better; robotic missions are less expensive and don’t put people in danger, but there are some things that only humans could do efficiently and quickly. The rovers on Mars for example, have done an amazing job of exploring the Martian surface, although human astronauts could do a lot of the same tasks faster. Also of course, people can experience the wonder and excitement of exploration in a way that machines can’t.

Instead of choosing between the two scenarios, the best idea, which I personally agree with, is to do both in tandem. That was the focus and apparent consensus of the symposium, that the best way forward is for humans and robots to work together, complimenting each others’ strengths and weaknesses. Humans might be better suited for on-site detailed exploration such as sample-taking, while robots could better handle other, more dangerous jobs.

The use of robotics has become a “pervasive technology across both military and space” according to Dr. Suzy Young of UA-Tuscaloosa’s Research Office. She also cited sources which claim that robotic intelligence could start to approach that of humans by 2040. It may still sound like science fiction, but it is quickly becoming science fact. Maybe those lovable droids from Star Wars aren’t too far off now after all.

The Future of Nano-Electric Power Generation (by AlienScientist)

http://nanoholdings.com/ - Justin Hall-Tipping CEO of “Nanoholdings” Explains how nanotechnology is set to change the future of energy and replace fossil and nuclear fuels:

Discuss this video in detail, share links, videos, pictures, sources, and more! Visit the AlienScientist Discussion board for this topic:
http://www.alienscientist.com/forum/showthread.php?752-The-Future-of-Nano-Ele…

Below is an excerpt from:
http://nanoholdings.com/about-us/

Nanoholdings is a team of scientists, investors and innovators working at the cutting-edge of nanotechnology to develop solutions to the world’s growing energy problems. Working in partnership with the world’s best universities we develop products and companies that will revolutionize the way we use and generate energy.

Two things stand out about us — we focus exclusively on nanotechnology-based energy solutions and we work at the very cutting-edge of nano-energy research.

Our extensive network of leading scientists in the nanotechnology field are central to our work - scientists based at eminent universities around the world, who are working at the coal-face of nano-energy research to seek out alternative solutions for how we generate, transmit, store and use energy. We support and guide their research, transforming breakthroughs into viable solutions — products to revolutionize the way we use and generate energy.

Source: youtube.com

Hungry? Soon you may be able to print out your dinnerScientists at Cornell are developing a 3-D printer that can print meals using raw food “ink.” Using raw-food inks set up in syringes, a specialized printer creates cookies, pie and other treats. The food list is currently limited to ingredients that can be extracted from a syringe, and researchers have had success with chocolate, cake and cookies. But they think the machine could be developed to create customized menus for “fussy” customers — or that the world’s great chefs could share their patented recipes for download.
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Hungry? Soon you may be able to print out your dinner
Scientists at Cornell are developing a 3-D printer that can print meals using raw food “ink.” Using raw-food inks set up in syringes, a specialized printer creates cookies, pie and other treats. The food list is currently limited to ingredients that can be extracted from a syringe, and researchers have had success with chocolate, cake and cookies. But they think the machine could be developed to create customized menus for “fussy” customers — or that the world’s great chefs could share their patented recipes for download.

(via powerburial)

Source: mothernaturenetwork

Apple, RSA, Facebook, spyware , scareware, DDoS - 90 Sec News - June 2011 (by SophosLabs)

Don’t read the latest security news - watch it in just 90 seconds!

Looking back over last month: Apple does anti-virus, RSA replaces tokens, Facebook stays opt-out, Macbook Peeping Tom caught, Scareware gang busted, DDoSer sentenced.

Source: youtube.com

The 14 Coolest Computer Keyboard Mods and Designs | Walyou

In 1968 when Douglas Enterbart invented the first keyboard, he wouldn’t have dreamed that his invention would revolutionize the computer world. Did we imagine that the simple block key board will turn into such magnificent art pieces? But today, each design is unique…leaving the past behind and beholding the future.

Technology is simply a part in the long run- together with it blends mans’ quest for better creations leading to innovations like the 14 Coolest Computer Keyboard Mods and Designs seen below, which are made up of some real modifications and also some conceptual design which hopefully will truly be made. If you are interested in some weird and cool keyboards that have actually seen the light of day, check out the awesome collection of Geeky Computer Keyboards we seen before.

Jellyfish Inspired Keyboard

The jellyfish inspired keyboard set is basically a hand held gizmo that can function as an alternative to the regular input devices. It features the concept of a music keyboard fused with that of a computer keyboard. This jelly fish inspired keyboard set is a little tricky in its operation: using the chord theory where by, if a certain digit is pressed together with another digit, it forms a word. But this ‘magic’ device makes it a point not to let its users to return to the usual keyboard with its high technical proficiency. Erik Campbell has sure made an awesome model-slick in black and red for those who value design and yearn for a style statement.

Remote Controller Keyboard

Flying saucers are no longer meant for the aliens alone! It is a part of the earthly gaming zone now with the new remote controller keyboard by Altuq Toprak. The duo looks as if inspired by flying saucers and E.T to give a refreshingly new gaming controller. Though the gaming controller is an integrated part of the keyboard, it can be used as an individual controller as well. Initial usage may be a bit clumsy, but the versatility of the design will cause this to be soon forgotten.

Alchemist Keyboard Mod

The Alchemist keyboard is an outstandingly featured keyboard which pays tribute to the alchemists of history in its design. The amazing keys, the stained glass panel and the braided cord together make a picture-perfect designer key board. The designer has incorporated a number of symbols and labels used by alchemists including the Eye of Ra and the Caduceus. The detailing extends to the brass rods below the space bar that have a special coating to prevent tarnish. This keyboard is a master piece with its artistic design and fine detailing.

Mouse Combo Keyboard

Ever had the thought that the mouse is a pest in your cubicle taking up lots of space for its proper function? Well, have a look at the largest computer keyboard with a built-in mouse. This  mouse combo keyboard rests on a low friction pad making movements easier and uses an optical sensor to pick up motion. If the gliding key board doesn’t suite your needs, within reach of the thumbs, a scroll wheel and conventional mouse buttons retain customary control.

Steampunk Ergonomic Keyboard

Great news to all the Steampunk lovers, the Steampunk keyboard is out with its classic looks and perfect design. This amazing keyboard together with the steampunk mouse forms a model duo. Created by Datamancer from an IBM M15 ergonomic keyboard, the transformation is breath taking. The metallic design on the sides and the touch pad add to the aesthetics of the keyboard. Yet another example to confirm that steampunk is always in style!

Retro Keyboard Mod

Cool keyboards have always been in the priority list of the geeks. As such, there have been innumerable creations varying in themes, designs, features and specifications. To add to the list is the retro keyboard mod.  Although looking like a blend of the typewriter sculpture and the steampunk ergonomic keyboard, this keyboard has its own distinct design and concept. The classic side rails and the keys together form part of the perfect nostalgic keyboard in the list.

Scrabble Keyboard

Computer keyboards have been available in different shapes, colors, sizes and this scrabble keyboard adds to the list its own specific theme. The keyboard is made from letters of the popular Scrabble board game. This new theme based keyboard from Datamancer has the buttons made of  different letters from the game and the special keys like Num Lock have the letter hallowed out. The creativity and looks of this keyboard will certainly take a few breaths away.

Key-Stick Keyboard Design

Portable keyboards have been in the market for some time now, but most of them had inherent flaws like lack of traditional keys and options for folding. The key-stick key board by Yoonsang Kim and Eunsung Park is a trend setter in this developing technology. The Keystick keyboard is a fully functional QWERTY keyboard with the added benefit of folding it to a stick. This foldable keyboard is wireless and connects to the PC via an USB. Soon to enter the manufacturing phase, once out, the keyboard will definitely grab the keyboard market.

Art Deco Style Keyboard

Art deco style keyboards are always classy and elegant in its design. The keyboard featured here is no different in that respect. Together, it is superior in its class with the variations by Datamancer.  The black reflective acrylic plate and white LEDs add to the aesthetic appeal. The wooden frame further takes the design to classic lay outs. Any loyalty to intense technology clubbed with splendor? Your search for the perfect keyboard ends in the art deco keyboard.

Kinesis Advantage Keyboard

If comfort is of top priority for the geek in you, The Kinesis Advantage Keyboard leaves no options for a second thought. The ergonomic design with additional features and the scientifically placed keys are the striking features of this technical-designer board. Also, the layout is simply perfect and fits your hands better to give the comfort you seek for when working for long hours. In the list of geeky gadgets based on innovative designs, The Kinesis Advantage keyboard can not be ignored with its scientific design and technicality.

Weird Back Typing Keyboard

Together with all cool creations comes, specific ones like this. They seem too weird that you simply can’t ignore them. The back typing key board is no exception to this. The basic idea is that the while using the keyboard, the keys can be viewed from the front while the typing has to be done from the backside. This keyboard is multimedia supported and has a mouse that can be controlled from the top side. The practical application of this keyboard is still questioned as we are not used to holding the keyboard in hand and typing in the back side!

Cool Leaf Series Qwerty Keyboard

What would it be like to have your bedroom mirror to function as a keyboard when it is switched on? With this technological pace, that is not far away. Have a look at the ‘Cool Leaf series’ keyboard by Minebea Co Ltd. Named as “?-QWERTY”, this keyboard is a blend of killer looks and technological efficiency. The whole unit contains force-sensors that make it a touch sensitive device. Made of mirror like material on an acrylic board, the lighting includes a light guide plate type back lights. When the device is switched off, it appears like a simple plane piece of mirror glass. Cool series is soon to be expanded for medical use as well.

Futuristic Brand Computer Keyboard Design

“The brand power” is certain once again! There is no doubt on what inspired designer Ignacio Pilotto to this brand computer keyboard. It is definitely the countless brands that come in all forms. These brand keyboards can be the best way to get brand names to every single user. The creativity is definitely to be commented on. The standard letters getting replaced by illustrative logos- that’s definitely a great idea. Even better, the manufacturing company can sell that tiny piece to the brand owner to create the ultimate advertising effect- the brand name gets to the sub conscious level of the user!

Bamboo Computer Keyboard

When ‘go green’ is the big motto, certainly you ought to be pleased with this bamboo computer keyboard. Not just for the environmentally conscious geeks, the keyboard can be used by any one who yearns for a choice to the dull old plastic keyboard. With a price tag ranging from $11 to $44, going geeky isn’t costly either. Together, the bamboo keyboard has the same longevity as that of the conventional every day keyboards- so that’s a bonus! With looks similar to the Scrabble keyboard, this cool keyboard comes with lesser modifications making it perfect for daily use.

JAPANESE WATER POWERED CAR!! (by raviwfc)

As per the claims it runs only on a 300W “Water Energy System (WES)” where WATER is the only FUEL.

Water Car Fuelcell Internals video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuOp_9U3UeI

The basic power generation mechanism of the new system is similar to that of a normal fuel cell, which uses hydrogen as a fuel. According to Genepax, the main feature of the new system is that it uses the company’s membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which contains a material capable of breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen through a chemical reaction.


A Japanese venture company, Genepax, has unveiled a car on that runs on water. All it requires is a litre of water. In fact, any kind of water to be exact, whether its river, rain, sea water, or even Japanese tea. Its an electric powered car that runs solely on hydrogen dioxide.
“The main characteristic of this car is that no external input is needed. The car will continue to run as long as you have a bottle of water inside for you to add from time to time,” said Kiyoshi Hirasawa, Chief Executive Officer of Genepax, after he proudly announced the company’s invention.
Once water is poured into the water tank at the back of the car, the newly invented energy generator takes out the hydrogen from the water, releases electrons and finally generates electrical power.
“We highly recommend our system since it does not require you to build up an infrastructure to recharge your batteries, which is usually the case for most electric cars,” said Hirasawa, who is hoping to advertise the car in time for the upcoming G8 Summit in Hokkaido, Japan.
According to the company, 1 liter of water keeps the car running for about an hour with a speed of 80 kilometers or 50 miles an hour. The company has applied for a patent and is hoping to collaborate with Japanese automobile manufacturers to mass manufacture their invention in the very near future. As fuel prices continue rising and people look for greener alternatives, companies globally are trying to come up with alternatives.

Details:

http://www.genepax.co.jp/en/

http://www.overunity.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=e86772b84fc1f6d47d5b09fa64f1d8b2…

http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080613/153276/

Source: youtube.com

Ancient Advanced Technologies - Technologies of The Gods [FULL FILM] (by UFOTVstudios)

Technologies of the Gods brings convincing evidence that ancient civilizations utilized high-tech engineering methods equal to, if not superior to our own and that these technologies were being applied on a world-wide level.

Produced by Atlantis Rising Magazine. It has long been suspected that the Great Pyramids, Stonehenge, and the Mayan temples could not have been built using the primitive technologies attributed to those peoples by the orthodox academic view which states that primitive civilization in Mesopotamia, Egypt and India emerged from the stone age just over five thousand years ago.

In Technologies of the Gods breakthrough researchers, writers and engineers take a look at real evidence - largely ignored by the academic establishment - which shatters the orthodox scenario for the dawn of civilization on Earth.

NOW ON DVD - Cat. #K527. Go to http://www.UFOTV.com.

Source: youtube.com

Physical Rehab Device Built From Wii Balance Boards

An anonymous reader writes “Some students at Rice University were recently asked by Shriner’s Hospital to build a rehabilitation tool that makes learning to walk entertaining and engaging. Teaching children with spina bifida, or cerebral palsy can be challenging but the game/balance board walkway helps the children develop their motor skills while giving them incentive to keep at it. It’s a really cool application of game technology that actually helps people.”

Robot Throws First Pitch At Phillies Game

RedEaredSlider writes “The first ball at the Phillies-Brewers game will get thrown by a robot — but Roy Halladay’s job is still safe. As part of an outreach program and the Phillies’ ‘Science Day At The Ballpark,’ the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science is showcasing a robot made from a Segway and featuring an arm that acts more like a human throwing than an ordinary pitching machine. A pitching machine functions more like a gun, firing a baseball in what amounts to a straight line. But the robot has an armature connected to a hand that was specifically designed for throwing. Another thing the robot can do is identify the strike zone.”

Scientist Creates 3D Scanner App For iPhone

An anonymous reader writes “A research scientist at Georgia Tech has created a 3D scanner app for the iPhone which uses the phone’s screen as a light source to quickly capture digital 3D models of faces and other objects. The app, called Trimensional, can output directly to a 3D printer to make physical copies of objects, which a few people have already tried. An Android version is in the works.”

New Medical Camera the Size of a Grain of Salt

kkleiner writes

“The German Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration recently reported the development of a camera with a lens attached that is 1 x 1 x 1.5 millimeters in size, which is roughly as big as a grain of salt. At about a cubic millimeter in size, this camera is right at the size limit that the human eye can see unaided. The camera not only produces decent images but is also very cheap to manufacture — so cheap, in fact, that it is considered disposable.”

City to Use License Recognition Software to Increase Parking Turnover #Berkeley #SystemsOfControl

Photo: Parking signs regulate how long drivers can leave their cars in certain areas. The city hopes to increase turnover in some parts of Berkeley by using license recognition software. Matthew Miller/Staff

Parking signs regulate how long drivers can leave their cars in certain areas. The city hopes to increase turnover in some parts of Berkeley by using license recognition software.

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In response to growing complaints from residents in areas drawing excessive visitors and parked cars, the city of Berkeley will implement a pilot Residential Parking program to increase the rate of turnover parking in the North Willard and Bateman neighborhoods within the next few months.

The program will outfit parking enforcement vehicles with license plate recognition software in lieu of the current system of chalking cars to monitor parking in two-hour zones. The program targets the two neighborhoods as they house two of the city’s largest employers - UC Berkeley and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.

Using chalk as the only two-hour parking enforcement has been ineffective, as some people tend to wipe it off or just move their cars forward a few feet instead of permanently leaving the area, according to Councilmember Kriss Worthington. He added that the new program would prevent such action.

“Instead of the meter people having to chalk the tire, they would take a picture of the license plate,” he said. “When they come back around and scan it in again they can see you’re in the same place.”

According to the city’s Transportation Manager Farid Javandel, funding for the license plate scanning technology will come from a $2 million grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commisson - a program that oversees many transportation projects in the Bay Area. He said the program will only use a portion of those funds.

Javandel also said the program will allow the city to analyze parking trends in the areas.

“The RPP program up till now has been traditionally low-tech,” Javandel said. “We want to know how many people are just moving their cars around. We know people are doing this, but we don’t know the magnitude.”

The city’s Department of Public Works will conduct studies of the parking situations in the affected areas as well as surveys both before and after the program’s implementation to gauge its success, Worthington said, adding that public opinion will be a huge factor in deciding whether or not to expand the program to other areas of the city.

According to Julia Shearer, a member of the Bateman Neighborhood Association, residents have been dealing with high density parking issues near the hospital for years, making it difficult for residents to find parking near their homes.

“There’s been a tremendous amount of impact from parking from visitors who would rather not pay for the garage and employees who have the same goal of free parking,” she said. “We’re hopeful that this program will solve the parking situation that Alta Bates exceeds.”

In addition to the new license plate recognition strategy, the City Council hopes to make affordable parking options for employees in the impacted areas.

“At the same time we’re making it harder for people to cheat, we’re also making it easier for employees to park in other places,” Worthington said. “If you go to a city parking garage, you can get an early bird price and pay a far lower price. Some people think we’re trying to get money from giving tickets. We’re not. It’s about getting parking turnover.”

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